Introduction: In developing nations as in India, as the life expectancy has increased, more and more elderly patients having ischemic heart disease are being diagnosed and treated.

Aim: The objective is to evaluate whether thrombolysis with a lower dose of 7.5 lakh units of streptokinase was as efficacious as with streptokinase in conventional doses of 1.5 million units in achieving reperfusion of the infarct related coronary artery.

Material and Methods: The present study was conducted in elderly patients aged more than 65 years over a period of one year from nov.2016 to oct.2017 at GMC, Jammu which is a tertiary care centre. Sixty elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction were enrolled in the study, presenting within 12 hours of onset of symptoms and having no contra-indication to thrombolytic therapy.

Results: Out of the total 60 cases included in our study, 30 (50%) were assigned to the study group and 30 (50%) were included in the control group.

Conclusion: in the present study, we conclude that low dose (7.5 lakh units) of streptokinase was as effective as the standard dose (1.5 million units) of streptokinase in achieving reperfusion of the infarct related coronary artery, in the elderly patients of acute myocardial infarction.

Keywords: acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery, streptokinase, thrombolysis.

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Dr Ritu Bhagat

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